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Word is that Portland fully expects Lillard to return next season from the Achilles tear he sustained in April 2025 to potentially join Jrue Holiday in its starting backcourt... With Henderson in the mix as well. How all the pieces fit together remains to be seen, but it's likewise expected that the Blazers will field plenty of external trade interest in Holiday in coming weeks and months.
Yet sources have insisted this week that the Blazers are as interested in actually trying to land Antetokounmpo for themselves as other frequently mentioned suitors such as Miami, Minnesota, Golden State and New York. I'm also that Portland engaged in trade talks with Milwaukee as recently as the Tuesday before the league's annual in-season trade deadline (which always falls on a Thursday) before various interested teams finally conceded that the Bucks were not truly willing to part with Antetokounmpo even as they were already spiraling to a 32-50 finish.
I've heard that same trade sentiment floating around the league ahead of potential contract extension talks this summer and I've likewise been advised by sources close to the situation to regard Portland as a potential Davis suitor should it fall short in its Antetokounmpo pursuit.
Sean Highkin: Robert Williams III on free agency and if he wants to be back: "Yeah, for sure. I love Portland. But everything is a negotiation."
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Tim Reynolds: Only teams in play-by-play era (since 1996) to trail by 17 or more at the half, then win by 20 or more: -- Miami, over Houston, 11/1/15 (down 19 at half, won by 20). -- San Antonio, over Portland, today (down 17 at half, won by 21).
Shams Charania: San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama has cleared concussion protocol and will play in Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers (3:30 pm ET on ESPN), per me and @malika_andrews .
Dan Weiss: Turn out the lights in the gym! Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, 21 and 20 years old, combine for 60 points. Harper a career high 27 points and his first ever double double and the Spurs take Game 3 in Portland to take a 2-1 series lead.
Joe Freeman: Spurs coach Mitch Johnson says Victor Wembanyama will not play in Game 3 vs. Blazers. He didn’t add much beyond that other than to say Wemby is “doing well and progressing.”
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Tom Orsborn: Victor Wembanyama will travel with team to Portland. Mitch Johnson. “He’s looking good. The update is that he is following each protocol and he is progressing and will travel with the team,” he said. No word on his status for Friday or Sunday.
Shams Charania: Reporting for Inside the NBA -- Spurs' Victor Wembanyama conducts cardio work Wednesday as he works through concussion protocol: “I’m told Victor Wembanyama was able to participate in cardio work here late Wednesday, because his symptoms didn't worsen. He wasn't feeling worse than he did when he suffered that concussion, and as of right now, my understanding is he is hopeful that he'll be able to travel with the team to Portland on Thursday, but whether he's able to clear concussion protocol in time to play in game 3 on Friday in Portland is an obvious question in jeopardy for the Spurs, because there are guidelines and protocols when it comes to the concussion policy. 48 hours after solving the concussion is when Victor would be able to, without restrictions, participate in activities. Within 24 hours you're able to have at least light activity, which is what he was able to do today because his symptoms didn't worsen. So that is the one good piece of news for the spurs that he was able to come in and do that. But overall, this is a process that's going to be seen by not only the Spurs medical staff but the League concussion protocol director. And he has to check boxes every single day, he has to clear neurological exams every single day. And what we know about the Spurs is they're going to always err on the side of caution, especially with someone like Victor Wembanyama. And what we also know with concussions, it's not always a straight line. So the Spurs are taking this day by day. We'll know more on Thursday about whether he'll be able to play on Friday.”
Reporting for Inside the NBA -- Spurs' Victor Wembanyama conducts cardio work Wednesday as he works through concussion protocol: pic.twitter.com/v5akihX2j9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 23, 2026
Life without Wembanyama could and should look better than that. San Antonio has the talent to win games without him, even against a rugged team like Portland. The Spurs know they cannot shoot 7-for-24 from deep in a playoff game in 2026 and expect to win without Wembanyama bending gravity to his will. “We’ve played tough games without him,” Castle said. “Obviously, we want everybody healthy and have him on the court. But whatever five guys are on the court, we’re gonna play like ourselves.”
Sean Highkin: Scoot Henderson on Game 3: “Man, I already know Rip City gonna be turnt. Even if we were down 2-0 they’d be cheering us like we were up 2-0.”